The Inward Journey

INWARDS:

At the heart of mankind’s story is a world that got derailed - it’s off kilter and now us humans have a ‘bent’ to take this world in a different direction that God intended. (The Christian world view)

Does that sound like your own journey? How many ways you’ve found yourself connecting with this “primitive bent” and you’ve gone way off the path maybe because you went searching for worth or belonging in the wrong places? It certainly sounds like my journey.

Central to the Christian faith is repairing what is broken and getting back on to the path that God intended for us. Remember that Jesus said He is the Way (…the truth and life). Jesus didn’t say that He points to the way, but He IS the way. Jesus is the way to get our lives and humanity back on track. He is the means by which we point people back to the way that God intends us to live. The best possible way to live life is found in Jesus. I believe that.

Either Jesus shows us the best way to live life now and for eternity or Jesus is a liar or at least misguided.

The journey to get our humanity back on track requires that we take a look inside of ourselves. Before people get the wrong impression, let me say that I don’t think by looking deep within ourselves we will find the answers we are looking for. We won’t find the ability within ourselves to save ourselves. I don’t think that we are god(s).

”We believe that God wants to redeem every part of us, and that Jesus’ message of salvation is holistic in nature. We believe that all of life is spiritual life, and that all of our fears, failures, and broken hearts can be restored and made whole. We value the inner journey, because we want to be fully integrated people mind, body, and soul, emotions and experiences all offered together to God.”

Psalm 139 says:
“Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.”

None of us has escaped the darkness. When we allow God to shine His light inside of our lives we can take the first steps to deal with our abuse, our mis-trust, our addictions, our lies, our workaholism, our alcoholism, or abandonment issues, our arrogance, our bitterness, anger, our perversions, and our broken hearts.

God wants to guide us on the road to eternal life. Take the inner journey and ask the tough questions... where have you gotten off track? Dig deeper.

I love you,

---Joe

Moving Forward

Central to Christianity is the task of carrying the timeless message of God to the world around us. As I'm reading about the things Paul (the Apostle) did I can't help but notice the changes he made while communicating to different audiences. For instance, to interested Jews he would use a significant amount of references to the Hebrew Scriptures. Then to the people in Lystra he makes no reference to the Old Testament but instead quotes "secular" sources to communicate. I also notice the different ways that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chose to write based on their respective audiences.

I believe that we must ask about what it looks like for us to be a church here and now. I think we should constantly be exploring new and creative ways to communicate the teachings of Jesus. The goal is, of course, to carry the message of Jesus forward to the world around us.

Let me tell you 2 principles I'm seeing in the bible that could be helpful on this topic.

LETTING GO OF THINGS WE ONCE THOUGHT WAS RIGHT:
Read Philippians 3:4-8. In there you will see Paul saying that he used to be the best of the best in religious circles... He thought he had "arrived" spiritually. He thought he did all the right things and knew most everything. Then he had a moment of explosive revelation and new life when he realized (with God's help) that everything he had done in the past was shit compared to knowing Jesus. Yes I used the "s" word. Paul used the Greek word "skubalon" in the scripture I referenced... The "s" word is a very close translation into English.

In other words Paul found that in order to move forward sometimes we will find that there are things that we need to let go of. As we move ahead, we'll discover some things that we once thought were right and good, but in reality we need to leave them in the dust because they are "skubalon".

This has implications for us. What things are there in our lives that are not essential that we need to let go of? What's Skubalon compared to knowing and following Jesus? Are there some things that you need to leave behind as you move forward with your faith?

DISCOVERING ESSENTIALS THAT WE NEED TO EMBRACE
In 2 Chronicles 34: 14,15, 18-22 You'll read about a Jewish king who discovers the Torah. Here we have the King who is supposed to be leading God's own people and He's dusting off a copy of the Bible after years of power. I like to point out that in this story the king seeks the advice of a woman to discover what should be done with his discovery.

The principle is simple. In our lives we will and should discover very important things that we need to embrace. If we intend to move forward, we must realize that there are discoveries to be made about God. About ourselves. About following Jesus. When we discover those things, we should embrace them.

I see this faith as a journey. I assume that there will be change along the way. Innovation is welcomed. I'm asking myself if there are things to let go of and are there things to embrace. But better than just asking myself, I'm asking God the same questions.

How will I move forward as a believer?

What does God want?

Ever feel like God has stopped caring about you or the world? That He's neutral about the bad things that happen to you or around you? This is just like the people of Judah in the book of Micah.

On the flipside, God saw that the people of Judah had grown tired of God and have decided to go their own ways. God communicates this through Micah and the people begin to remember the ways that God has rescued them and saved them in the past. Then they repent. As the people ask questions about how to make things right between them and God - they suggest that maybe it would please God if they did more sacrifices.

Have you ever done that? When you've wanted to work on your relationship with God - make it stronger - have you told God that you'd go to church more? Read the bible more? Give more money? Sacrifice? Rituals. External things to show how serious you are.

I ran across this verse today in Micah 6:8 (Message)- "But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously – take God seriously."

What does God want from us? I think today He's saying that more 'ritualistic' activities aren't what God's after. He wants us to relate to people better, love more, interact with those in need. Sometimes we need to take less interest in ourselves and more interest in God.

Ever think Christianity is complicated? Read Micah 6:8 again. Grace to us, through us.

How can you apply that verse to your relationship with God? Dig deeper.

Taking the (mini) Plunge

It's Time! I can't put it off any longer. Next week I will be dropping 10 hours at my "secular" job. It's a step of faith - believing/trusting that God is going to supply for my family (and me too). It's time to take the (mini) plunge!

I'll be devoting those extra 10 hours toward the huge task of starting a church.

THE NEXT STEP: As soon as it's possible, I will quit my job and devote myself totally to starting Axis. It's time for God to supply. These are exciting times, to say the least! Would you please pray for us? Click here to sign up for the prayer team.

Where's the money going to come from? There's no salary package being offered, no benefits or insurance. This is one of those things were UNLESS GOD COMES THROUGH WE'RE DOOMED TO FAILURE. Sarah and I are taking a risk.

I keep thinking lately about how I, occasionally, can fear failure - But I also fear the absence of risk in my life. How can God's people be agents of change (positive change, that is) in the world without facing risks? Can you name one person who's significantly impacted society who hasn't taken risks?

When I was a missionary, I had a total of $300 donated monthly (by loving friends, family, and churches) to cover all my expenses. On the surface it's impossible to imagine being able to travel to every continent on the planet (except Australia - oh, and the Antarctic) on that kind of income. YET, GOD ALWAYS supplied. I'm trying to recall those days... honestly it seems like my faith was stronger then. It's a good thing that I only need mustard seed sized faith, I can manage that!

What about you? Do you have a story? When have you lived in the place where UNLESS GOD COMES THROUGH, I'M DOOMED TO FAILURE? I'm very interested to hear your story.

Also, if you care to help us out financially (or otherwise), please click here.

---joe